Current Information:

Age-45

10, York Road, King's Cross

On 20th December The India Corps were subjected to a fierce attack on their positions on the southern part of the British line, near Festubert. The village of Givenchy was stormed and taken. 1st Division was sent to reinforce the beleaguered Indian Corps and in the afternoon of 21st December, 1st Loyal North Lancashire, 2 Brigade, arrived at Le Touret, 2 ½ miles west of Richbourg-l’Avoue. They were at once ordered to recapture the left of the Indian line near the Orchard, about 1 mile north-east of Festubert, which had been lost that morning. That evening at 7.20pm their attack went in and in just over one hour the lost trenches had been retaken. But it came at a cost. 1st Loyal North Lancashire suffered over 400 casualties in this action which became known as “Givenchy”. Although all this action took place on 21st December, the deaths were not recorded until 22nd December and this is the date shown on the records.